As the year comes to an end, I feel reflective (not like the lights on your running shoes).

The one thing I think about time and time again is the influence the online message boards and forums have had on my life.

My "online life" only began when I came to Canada almost 8 years ago.
At first I joined a South African chat site where ex-pats would congregate and wax lyrical about all things South African.

Then I made "real friends" with other immigrants, and that was how I was introduced to Scrapbooking, which in turn led me to the vast world of Message Boards, and Forums, and Kit Clubs and Circle Journals, Blogs and R.A.K's (Random Acts of Kindness.

The people I got to know on these forums and blogs shaped my life over the last 8 years, to a large extent.

For the longest time I was happy just having "computer friends".

The good news is that many of those "www friendships" morphed into real relationships.
Of course, as is the case with real life, a few of those relationships (real and online) crashed and burned; some held steady and then slowly died off; some faltered and then self-corrected; some went off track only to be dragged back on again, and some endured...long and faithfully.

Through it all though, I am grateful for those online friends, and real ones too, who have passed and stayed through and in my life.

Here's wishing every single person who stops by here for a read, a very happy and prosperous 2009.

Wishing all our friends and family
Near and Far
A very merry Christmas
And the happiest of New Years...

I managed to snag the picture above early this morning
Before the carnage began :) :) :)

We were under strict instructions from Ara not to light a fire last night
So Santa wouldn't burn his bum
Or ruin his "nice red suit"....

I swiped this off Kimbo's blog...it's in keeping with my present "Twilight" obsession :)




You are observant, diplomatic and often aim to please. You are unaware of your
attractiveness and despite being uncomfortable with any form of attention, people enjoy your company. You can be impatient, stubborn and headstrong, but you are true to your word and mature for your age, often taking care of your family and enjoying a good book over chatting with girlfriends on the phone.

I love great Customer Service.
Duh!
Who doesn't?!!

So when 3M recently called back a batch of defective ATG guns, I was a bit leery as to how fast they would get a new gun out to me.
Well it took just 8 days from the time I called them to the time the new gun was delivered to our home.
8 days is fast.
Especially during this time of year when things slow down so much.
So, three cheers to 3M....

And if you don't have one of these babies yet, you should def. get one. Well worth the $$$ in my opinion.

Here's a pic of what you sould be looking for:


And, in keeping with great customer service, if you want to order one of these, along with the acid-free tape, you can check out Savvy 'n Sassy...
*here* for the ATG gun (lowest price anywhere!!), and *here* for the adhesive tape (again, lowest price anywhere).

Happy Shopping!!

**yoo-hoo anyone there?**

Hey all...
Sorry for the large lapse...we picked up my Mum from the airport on Wednesday evening and it's been one huge bonding session since then. We have not seen her in two years and it was the first time she saw our youngest child, Eilam, so it's been good times all around.

She's a bit jet-lagged and still trying to adjust to the minus 36 degrees we've been experiencing over the past few days...Brrrrr!

I'm not going to be updating my blog too much over then next couple weeks, so I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and a splendiferous start to 2009...

Here's something to think about over the next couple weeks:

Dance Dance Revolution

A'ight...I know ya'll want to see evidence of my smooth DDR moves...
I just know ya'll do!

So here's a pic:


Now that 'aint no camera trick.
That's just how speedy my moves are.
I'm a blur, ya'll
A blur.

It's been a while since I've been here.
Not a whole lot going on.
The weather has turned icy, snowy and very very cold.

But I've been reading this:



There's been a lot of hype over this book for a long time now...here in North America, anyway.
I know my friends and family in S.A and the U.K havn't quite been swept up in the "Twilight" hysteria yet.

I was a bit dubious about reading this after hearing the raves and the "read it from cover to cover in one entire night" reviews.
Really I was dubious.

Then I started it.
And by night three I was still around page 30- something.
Not that it wasn't interesting.
It started slow, and I was exhausted.

But then it picked up, and I have to say I love the way Meyer writes.
She is a magician with the pen (or keyboard, in this case)
It's not so much the unusal storyline which has me gripped in it's icy-hot clutches.
It's the way she writes words...
You know what I mean?

Her words are delicious... they're lush and rich and melodic.
Honestly she could be writing about a grazing herd of cows and I'd be riveted.
It's a fabulous book.

I had the best time doing this page.
I took my time, and really got into it...



Lots and lots of layers and textures here so I've added a few close-ups...


All the chipboard here is from Magistical Memories, and the beautiful trims and ribbons are from Savvy 'n Sassy


One more...


Happy Monday everyone, and have a great week :)